Water - our thirsty world

The last drop

Did you know...

Nearly 70% of the world's fresh water is locked in ice?

Most of the rest is in aquifers that we're draining much more quickly than the natural recharge rate?

Two-thirds of our water is used to grow food?

Irrigation consumes 70% of fresh water?

With 83 million more people on Earth each year, water demand will keep going up unless we change how we use it?

Americans use about 100 gallons of water at home each day?

Million of the world's poorest subsist on fewer than 5 gallons?

In Florida, 3.000 gallons are used to water the grass for each golf game played?

46% of people on Earth do not have water piped to their homes?

One out of eight people lacks access to clean water?

Women in developing countries walk an average of 3.7 miles to get water?

3.3 million die from water-related health problems each year?

In 15 years, 1.8 billion people will live in regions of severe water scarcity?

(Source: National Geographic - A special issue: Water - our thirsty world. April 2010)